4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 11.4.1 & 8 Reasons You Should

Apple’s iOS 11.4.1 update is a point upgrade, but it could have a significant impact on your device’s performance. While most people should install the iOS 11.4.1 update today, others might benefit from waiting a few more hours, a few more days, or even a couple more weeks.

iOS 11.4.1 is the company’s latest release for iOS 11 users. And like all point upgrades, iOS 11.4.1 is focused on fixing bugs and improving security.

The iOS 11.4.1 update isn’t a milestone upgrade, but it’s still a sizable download for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models. If you’re coming from iOS 11.4, the update is several hundred megabytes. It’s a 225.6MB download for the iPhone X.

Apple’s bug fixers can have tremendous impact on your device’s performance. Some of you will see a boost, but many others will encounter performance issues.

If the iOS 11.4.1 update starts causing problems on your device, you’re on your own for a few more weeks at least. The company hasn’t confirmed iOS 11.4.2 and the iOS 12 update is still in beta ahead of a release this fall. We expect the iOS 12 release date to land in September, probably the week of September 17th.

It’s also important to remember that you’re stuck on iOS 11.4.1 once you make the move. Apple’s no longer signing off on iOS 11.4, which means you can’t drop down if iOS 11.4.1 starts causing trouble. You can’t downgrade to anything older than iOS 11.4 either. This obviously puts a greater importance on your potential move to iOS 11.4.1.

That said, there are plenty of reasons to consider installing iOS 11.4.1 right now. That said, there are also some reasons why you might want to temporarily hold off on the installation.

If you’re on the fence about upgrading your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS, allow us to walk you through the best reasons to, and not to, install iOS 11.4.1 right now.

Install iOS 11.4.1 for Better Security

Apple's iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 15 patches for potential security issues. If you value your security, you should think about installing it today.

iOS 11.4.1 also comes with a USB Restricted Mode that disables the Lightning port on your iPhone or iPad if a device hasn't been unlocked or connected to a computer using a passcode within a certain amount of time.

The new setting is located in Settings > Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode. There you’ll see a new toggle for USB Accessories. It's toggled off by default.

This provides an added layer of protection and prevents the use of cracking tools like GrayKey.

If you skipped iOS 11.4, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 30+ patches aimed at improving your device's security. This makes it an essential download for most iPhone and iPad users.

If you missed any of Apple's previous iOS updates, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with a lot more.

If you skipped iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 27 additional patches for potential exploits. Those of you lingering on iOS 11.2.6 would be wise to make the move sooner rather than later.

If you missed iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update also includes a new privacy feature. When an Apple feature wants to use your personal information, an icon now appears with a link to access detailed information about how your data will be used and protected.

If you're running iOS 11.2.5 or older, you're currently exposed to an issue that lets people send a specific character that will crash an iOS-powered device and block access to the Messages app. It can also block apps like Facebook Messenger, Gmail, Outlook, and WhatsApp.

The iOS 11.2.6 update's main purpose was to patch up this issue. If you skipped iOS 11.2.6, you'll get these enhancements with iOS 11.4.1.

The vulnerability, discovered by Tian Zhang, allowed for unauthorized control of HomeKit accessories including garage door openers and smart locks.

Apple quickly rolled out a server-side fix, but the company restored full functionality with the release of iOS 11.2.1. If you skipped iOS 11.2.1 and use HomeKit, you should download iOS 11.4.1 right now.

If you skipped iOS 11.2, you'll get a few more patches with your iOS 11.4.1 update. Apple's iOS 11.2 update delivered 11 patches including one for Mail and one for Wi-Fi.

The iOS 11.2 and iOS 11.2.1 updates also patched up a widespread security issue called "Meltdown." Apple says its analysis suggests it "has the most potential to be exploited."

The iOS 11.1 update delivered eight security patches including a fix for a serious Wi-Fi vulnerability called KRACK or Key Reinstallation Attack. KRACK is an exploit that targets the common WPA2 encryption protocol.

If you're just now making to move from iOS 10 (or whatever you're on) to iOS 11, your iOS 11.4.1 update will come with even more security-related features.

In iOS 11 you can't establish trust with a PC using fingerprints alone. You'll also need to put in a full passcode in order to gain that trust.

If you want to protect the data you store on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you should make your move to the latest version of iOS. This is particularly important for those of you running older versions of iOS.

Adam's been covering consumer technology for a decade with a focus on mobile hardware and software. He's been playing video games since 1987. Prior to joining the team at Gotta Be Mobile he wrote for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter or on Google+. You can reach him by email at adam@notebooks.com.

Ever since iOS 11 and it’s later iterations, my iPad Pro 12.9” turned to a useless piece of crap. So useless that I had to return it. They gave me a replacement which is also doesn’t work. It’s ok if you don’t need the touch screen facility (which I do). That aspect of it doesn’t work. The screen spends 50% of the time utterly unresponsive to touch with either my fingers of the Apple Pencil. Basically I have a slate and a stick which cost me €1000 and €100 respectively. I’m really unhappy. If iOS 11.4 doesn’t fix absolutely everything, I don’t even want another replacement. I was an an early adopter of iPad and have them scattered about the house. All of my equipment is Apple (MacBook Pro, iPhones, iPads), but my iPad Pros since iOS 11 are donkeys. Really frustrating.

There is always only one reader at a time. The author should not refer to "some of you" or "most of you" but to "some users" or "most users." "If your situation is x, then... If it is y, then..." covers the circumstances of different readers without awkward wording.

I don't care about any of the upgrade features for my iPad. Not worried about security or anything else. When will they force us to upgrade with and "Or else..." connected?? My feeling: IF IT AIN'T BROKE....

In over 30 years of using Macs I've never had any "breech" or anything else go wrong from hackers, etc. Too much fear based nonsense about "security" when in reality the alphabet agencies have back doors on most everything :-(

I have been having a terrible time with my iphone7 since the upgrade.
The screen has become so sensitive that the phone now plays music, calls people, hangs up on people, and performs other "unwanted" actions with the slightest accidental touch of the screen. Anyone else having this problem?

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(double tapping the home button to bring down the top portion of the screen so it's easily accessible with one hand) I thought this handy function was to show what apps. I have open, and to close if I like. At least that's what it does on my iPhone 5s running iOS 10.3.3. What are you talking about?

DO NOT install ios 11! It is a giant step for Apple but a HUGE step back for phone users.
The most annoying thing is that you no longer can check your voicemail directly you have to CALL AND LOG IN TO iToons. (Can you spell ads.)

The whole ios 11 system is a giant money grab by Apple. Much as I resent Google's android I may have to go back to it.
What we really need is an alternative provider (available in the rest of the world but not here). This is no longer "the land of the free."